Dear Richter,
The “antique comedy” I find wholly admirable, and cannot understand how you could doubt for a moment but that it would be worth while setting it to music. It goes without saying that the farce belongs in the real folk theatre, and that you must therefore keep the music light, something which is in any case indicated by the piece itself: accordingly, it must be a parody of Offenbach’s parodies. But polish it off quickly; for even though the thing is of interest in itself, its principal effectiveness lies very much in the immediate present. It must of course come out in Berlin first of all. Unfortunately I can be of absolutely no help to you here, since I have no connections in Berlin. But it is good of you to draw F. Röder to my attention: I believe he is an old acquaintance of mine from my Würzburg days of 1833 (!). If he is prepared to show zeal in taking this business in hand, you will no doubt fare best. You can be quite open and make use of my honest recommendation of the piece: I am not afraid of anyone when it comes to giving my word of approval. Take full advantage of this then with F. Röder. If the farce is well presented, with suitable skill, it is bound to stand out, to its own incomparable advantage, from every similar product of the age, and, as such, find favour with people. You should make certain of this transaction as quickly as possible. I should prefer it if you were here when you wrote the music: but a start must be made quickly, there is no time to be lost.
And so - that is all for today: I am returning the manuscript which - I can tell you - I find quite uncommonly appealing. - Give my regards to your dear mother, and send word soon that you are ready, and that things are making swift progress. - Best wishes from us all, wife, children, and household!
Cordially yours,
Richard Wagner.
P.S. How long will Schlossenbach have to remain in that hole of his? It is certainly very sad for such a talented young man! Is there no prospect of his at least being transferred to Vienna in the near future? I recall him with great pleasure. Give him my very best wishes for now, and tell him how much I liked his “Aristophanes”.
R.W.
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 398